AN Upper Gornal man waved an eight-inch knife at his neighbour after a late-night row turned ugly.

Wolverhampton Crown Court was told Shane Lewis threatened the neighbour after he complained about the noise of an argument between Lewis and his girlfriend in the early hours.

Gurdeep Garcha, prosecuting, told the court after arming himself with the knife Lewis, aged 22, then picked up a long piece of wood and used it to smash two windows in the neighbour’s home.

The court was told the incident flared up after the neighbour started banging on the wall to try and get Lewis and his partner to stop shouting.

The neighbour then spotted Lewis outside the property armed with the knife and feared for his life after being asked to "come outside."

Lewis, of Clarence Street, admitted criminal damage and possessing a bladed article, he was given a nine month jail term suspended for two years.

Recorder Graham Kelly told Lewis it was an "unpleasant" incident adding: "This couple were minding their own business trying to get some sleep but they could not because of your arguing.

"Not surprisingly he had reached the end of his tether and he banged on the walls. But you then got the knife and you smashed his windows.,"

He said Lewis had an appalling criminal record before concluding: "You cannot control yourself when things upset you or do not go the way you think they should."

Jas Mann, for Lewis, who was further ordered to carry out 150 hours unpaid work in the community, said his client had stayed out of trouble since his arrest after posing problems on a "regular basis."

He went on: "He is now making determined efforts to lead a crime free life. At the time of these offences he was drunk and emotional after a fall out with his girlfriend. "

Mr Mann said Lewis was full of remorse for his actions and he was now a "sober and sensible" young man.